The veteran Japanese striker who has broken Sir Stanley’s record

Sir Stanley Matthews was a legend of the game. Very few others can boast to have an FA Cup Final named in their honour, after all. But, almost sadly, the thing that he’ll be best remembered for has now been broken. Enter; Kazu Miura. Football’s oldest ever professional.

Playing football, for many of us, can be quite the challenge physically. Whether it’s a groggy Sunday morning or a midweek game after one too many take-outs; actually being physically active for 90 minutes can often prove too great a task. It’s for that reason most of us watch the game with a pie and a pint in our hands, rather than a protein bar and a slim-fast. It’s the reason most of us gave up on football when we discovered drinking and sleeping for too long at whatever age we happened to find idleness acceptable.

Now take a look at your elders. Imagine playing football in their state. At least while you’re still young, you can parade the energy of something at least vaguely mobile. However, once the grey hairs and creaking backs begin to set in; you’re pretty much done for. Your energy levels, it would seem, are about that of an aged and exhausted sloth. Or big Sam Allardyce after training, for that matter.

In a recent game for Yokohoma FC, Miura appeared for 54 minutes in a 1-1 draw with V-Varen Nagasaki as the world’s eldest playing professional footballer. The fella was 50 years and 7 days old. Sir Stanley Matthews’ record was surpassed by just two days.

Speaking on the event, Miura said:

“I don’t feel like I’ve gone past a legend. I may have surpassed him in longevity, but I won’t ever be able to match the career he had.”

Well you certainly won’t now, pal.

Anyway, reportedly propped up on an industrial sized pacemaker and 15 cans of Red Bull, Miura actually managed to play competitive football alongside men half his age for almost an hour. Most of us can seldom stand up for an hour without ending up a wheezing, bent-double wreck.

The man puts us all to shame.

Okay, admittedly, he was only playing in the Japanese J2 League, but it’s still quite the accomplishment. Having started his career at Santos – the same club as a certain Mr Pelé – in 1986, Miura has now played for 14 different clubs across the world.

Despite having made over 230 appearances for his current Yokohoma, the Japanese forward is best know for his prolific spell with Verdy Kwasaki, where he scored 100 goals in 192 games. From here, he graced Europe with Genoa as well as Dynamo Zagreb and has since raked up an impressive 89 caps for his country; whilst netting a not too shabby 55 goals.

Dubbed ‘King Kazu’ and as being Japan’s first footballing superstar; the man has certainly worked hard to extend his longevity up to the Bruce Forsyth regions. And, boy, does he deserve the record.

Although we can’t help feeling a pang of disappointment for Sir Stanley.

Anyway, here’s to King Kazu making many more an appearance from here on. There’s life in the old dog yet.

Not sure what’s more surprising, the fact Kazu’s still playing, or that these players have a World Cup medal…

Mattihas Ginter – Germany 2014

The defender, who has the face of a serial killer, was awarded a winners' medal despite not playing a single minute in Brazil. Image Source: Twitter

Joan Capdevila – Spain 2010

Whilst Joan was no mug on the pitch, it's fair to say that in comparison to the rest of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, he didn't really possess the same level of talent. Nonetheless, the defender's name will forever be linked back to that historic team. Image Source: Twitter

Marco Amelia – Italy 2006

Apparently this fella played for Chelsea. Can only imagine his contributions to the Italian winners was along the lines of making sandwiches, cleaning boots and carrying the ball bags. Image Source: Twitter

Simone Barone – Italy 2006

Simone Barone somehow, some way snuck himself into the Italy team at the World Cup despite being an utterly average for his whole career. Image Source: Twitter

Rogerio Ceni – Brazil 2002

Yup, the keeper who scores all the free kicks and penalties. Quality. Image Source: Twitter

Luizao – Brazil 2002

Played for about 600 clubs; terrible for them all. Image Source: Twitter

Roque Junior – Brazil 2002

A black David Luiz. Image Source: Twitter

Stephane Guivarc’h – France 1998

It's almost hard not to be impressed by Guivarc'h's journey from the World Cup Final all the way to being named the worst striker in Premier League history. Future stars such as Thierry Henry were on the bench for the game in Paris, and some how this fella led the way for well over an hour. Funny old game, football. Image Source: Twitter